>>35609251
>4-way split

>>35609251
>Search the lair for hidden stuff
>4-way split

>>35609251
The others didn't really do anything, which also means they don't get anything.
>Add it to treasury

Now the first thing we do is search for more hidden stuff. Everything additionally found that way will be split between us.

And after depositing our newly acquired stuff, then we will go to the next dragon. And over there we will let the others work while Sireyi provides Back-up. And then, the others can split the gold among themselves and Sireyi doesn't get anything.

>>35609251
>4-way split
>Search the lair for hidden stuff

Roll me 1d20+15 for searching please

Rolled 16 + 15 (1d20 + 15)

>>35609400

Rolled 7 + 15 (1d20 + 15)

>>35609400

Rolled 6 + 15 (1d20 + 15)

>>35609400

You and your companions split up and search the lair. You don’t find any more treasure, but you do find a lot of dead animals and monsters in the lair – whoever killed Shaljurst really hit this place hard.

And, you do find several hideaways where Shaljusrt might have hidden some of the more valuable items in her hoard. Until quite recently they were concealed and protected by magic. Maybe if you use Arcane Sight to look at it...huh, that’s weird.

Whoever broke into these hiding places was a very strong sorcerer, but you can’t get a feel for their magical signature.

Every spellcaster has their own magical, well *feeling* is too imprecise and *sound* or *taste* confuses the issue, but most spellcasters can recognise spellwork they have come across before, or recognise a new signature.

This spellwork...has no signature at all. You’ve never experienced this before.

>Weird, but not important, ignore it
>Hey come have a look at this magical residue! (which ally?)
>Other

Also hoard vote closed, 4-way split wins.

>>35609542
>>Hey come have a look at this magical residue! (which ally?)
Isla. Thanks to teleport it doesn't matter if she's nearby.

>>35609542
>>35609585
>Isla.

>>35609585
I guess the dragons can look at it first if they want. Don't think they'll see more than Sireyi, though.

>>35609542
>>Hey come have a look at this magical residue! (which ally?)
Isla definitely

Ok, roll me Isla's Intelligence, 1d20+14

>>35609701

Rolled 10 + 14 (1d20 + 14)

>>35609701

Rolled 9 + 14 (1d20 + 14)

>>35609701

Rolled 11 + 14 (1d20 + 14)

>>35609701

Nerd powaaar

When something’s weird, and it don’t make sense, who you gonna call? The expert of course.

A quick teleport spell or two later, and Isla is with you in the lair examining the remains of the warding spell guarding the (now empty) treasure trove.

“Sireyi” she says patiently “you should have bought me in before you tried experimenting on it.”

“What?” you eloquently respond.

“Whatever you did to it” she says “I can only sense *your* arcane signature – you must have rubbed out the other one somehow.”

That can’t be...

You take another look at the magical tangle. There’s the feel of a skilled draconic sorcerer – Shaljurst no doubt, and the second transparent one.

“It’s still there” you insist “I can feel it.”

Isla rolls her eyes at you “if it’ll calm you down” she says “I’ll take another look...”

A few minutes later her gaze darts to you, searching and...afraid(?)

“I’ve felt this before” she whispers “In the Drowned Lands.”

She backs away from you, obviously scared “Which one are you?” she whispers, then yells out “Which one are you?!”

You hear running feet as her cries draw your dragon allies towards the two of you in the little alcove.

Isla starts casting a Wall of Force spell

>Talk her down
>Isla attacking me? I don’t believe it (stand there looking shocked)
>Dispel Magic
>Grab her, she’s lost it again
>Other (what?)

Also, angelic exaltations? I love the idea but it’s far beyond Sireyi’s skills, at the moment. Something to work towards perhaps.

>>35609937

>Do nothing

Sometimes the only winning move is not to play.

>Calm down! It's me... can't you tell?

>>35609937
>Isla attacking me? I don’t believe it (stand there looking shocked)

>>35609937
>>Isla attacking me? I don’t believe it (stand there looking shocked)
After a looong moment of shocked silence.
>Talk her down
We seriously need to find a way how to differentiate between a simulacrum and the real deal. How about we make that her new project?

>>35609937
>Talk her down

>>35609937
>Isla attacking me? I don’t believe it (stand there looking shocked)
>Talk her down

>>35609937
>Isla attacking me? I don’t believe it (stand there looking shocked)

Isla attacking you is not something you’ve contemplated, at all.

You stand there looking shocked as a hemisphere of magical energy traps you in the small alcove in the cave wall.

“Isla” you say “It’s me, the real me.”

Isla backs away, shaking her head, her face pale.

Shahulzer, Nicolvren and Ebonsong come running up.

“What’s going on?” asks Shahulzer as Ebonsong asks “Why is big sister trapped Isla? Is this one of your adult games?”

“It’s not her” says Isla, shaking her head “it’s not her!”

The dragons look at you, puzzled, then you hear Ebonsongs thoughts in your mind.

-Big Sister?- She says –Is Isla sick again?-

“No Ebonsong” you say out loud “She’s just scared.”

“It’s her” insists Ebonsong to Isla “Not the copy.”

“We can’t be sure” says Isla.

It takes almost half an hour for Ebonsong and you to convince Isla that you’re the real you. Afterwards, she’s still shaken, but now believes it’s you.

“What do we do?” asks Shahulzer “I mean, if this other you is around here, that’s big trouble, right?”

“Yeah” says Nicolvren “We should warn everyone”

>We need to get home, now
>We’ll warn everyone, but we keep looking for dragons, if she joins them somehow...
>Scry her
>Other

>>35610204
>We’ll warn everyone, but we keep looking for dragons, if she joins them somehow...

>>35610204
>We’ll warn everyone, but we keep looking for dragons, if she joins them somehow...

>>35610204
>>We’ll warn everyone, but we keep looking for dragons, if she joins them somehow...
>We need a way for me to prove that I'm me. Maybe a permanent telepathy spell similar to what I have with Ebby? Or a sort of mark that even I could not fake?

>>35610204

>We'll warn everyone, but we keep looking for dragons. If she is involved...

>Scry

“We need to warn everyone” you say “and find a way to prove my identity when required.”

“Isla” you say “I need you back at the keep warning everyone quietly – we can’t let my double know that we suspect, right now that’s our advantage.”

“O-ok” she responds.

“And” you continue “I need you to find a way to make a test even she can’t beat.”

“I’m not sure I can” says Isla “I mean, your...her powers are pretty strong.”

You take her gently by the shoulders and gaze into her eyes “You can do this Isla” you say “I believe in you.”

Isla holds your gaze for a long time before her expression hardens and says “Right, right I can do this, I won’t let her win.”

“That’s the spirit” you say encouragingly.

“Can you tell me about some other nearby dragons lairs?” you ask Nicolvren, as Isla teleports away.

“Uh sure” she responds “there’s Sorcha, she’s an older red; Kempteris, a young blue, Malhost an adult red; Cravgur, an ancient white; or Barrosim, a cloud dragon. But” she adds “Barrosim is a bit strange, I’m not even sure he’d be interested in working with anyone.”

>Sorcha, the Old Red Dragon
>Kempteris, the Young Adult Blue Dragon
>Malhost, the Adult Red Dragon
>Cravgur, the Ancient White Dragon
>Barrosim, the Adult Cloud Dragon
>None of these, we look further away

>>35610421
>Cravgur, the Ancient White Dragon

>>35610421
>>Cravgur, the Ancient White Dragon

Got to step away from computer, back in 20 minutes

>>35610421
>her powers are pretty strong.”
Then beat her with finesse and smarts. She has far more knowledge about the arcane, there has to be some way to create a mark that you can't just brute-force.

>>35610421
>>Cravgur, the Ancient White Dragon

>>35610421
>Cravgur, the Ancient White Dragon

Might as well.

back, writing, hopefully posting soon.

“We start with the oldest” you say “Cravgur the white dragon – he’s most likely to be independent from Ryzan or whoever is running this alliance.”

“Alright” says Nicolvren, transforming into her dragon shape as you exit the lair of Shaljurst “Follow me.”

The four of you fly up high to a snow-covered mountain peak, your journey taking several hours. Though spring is just starting in the kingdom of Dornmer, this deep in the Tribal Lands, everything high up is still covered in snow and ice.

“It’s around here somewhere” remarks Nicolvren as you all land.

“It’s freezing!” says Shahulzer, shivering, as a miserable-looking Ebonsong nods agreement, the two of them chest deep in snow, even in their dragon forms.

“I know” says Nicolvren happily, rolling over in the powdery white expanse “Isn’t it great?”


“Not the words I would use” you say tactfully, as you cast a spell on Ebonsong and Shahulzer to make them resistant to the cold.

“Thanks” says Shahulzer, a sentiment Ebonsong echoes.

“Now if I can just recall where Cravgurs lair is....” says Nicolvren.

Hours later, the last of the sunlight is fading, and its getting so cold even you are starting to notice. To add to matters, you can see a blizzard approaching.

“I think we need to come back tomorrow” you yell at Nicolvren over the howling wind “I don’t think we want to meet a white dragon in a blizzard, just a thought.”

“You’re right!” roars back Nicolvren “Maybe this is the wrong mountain.”

The snow to one side of you bulges upwards, a vast frozen hill rising out of the ground, until it bursts, flowing down the sides of a massive draconic head, as its jaws gape wide in a yawn.

Velya that thing is huge! I mean, a knight and his horse could ride into those jaws with room to spare.

“Aaaaaaah!” says the massive head, turning this way and that to look at you and your companions “hmm, what? is it, hmm? Visitors Corvesis, we have visitors, why didn’t you wake me?”

“But why comst they?” it continues “Art they looking for the knights Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum? A poor search party indeed.”

>By Velya’s frilly underwear, this is too much dragon! (teleport away)
>Introduce self and greet the dragon
>Ask about Ryzan
>Corvesis, Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum? Those names sound familiar, where have I heard them before? (try to remember)
>Other (what?)

>>35611153

Oh boy, she's senile.

>Introduce self and greet the dragon
>Try to recall the names

>Ask about Ryzan

>Warn about doppelganger

>>35611153
>Velya’s frilly underwear
Is that something the scriptures mention?

>Introduce self and greet the dragon
>We are here because a servant of the Devourer, who has recently awoken and will try to destroy this plane, has been around and at least killing one dragon.

>>35611153
>Introduce self and greet the dragon
>Corvesis, Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum? Those names sound familiar, where have I heard them before? (try to remember)
seconding
>We are here because a servant of the Devourer, who has recently awoken and will try to destroy this plane, has been around and at least killing one dragon.

>>35611153
>Introduce self and greet the dragon
>Corvesis, Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum? Those names sound familiar, where have I heard them before? (try to remember)

Roll Intelligence, 1d20+7 to see what you recall about the names.

Vote on response is still ongoing, but adding to or changing vote depending upon the result is allowed

>By Velya's frilly underwear

Hahahaha, this is precious.
>>35611153
>By Velya’s frilly underwear, those names sound familiar, where have I heard them before?

Heroes of the Horn?

Rolled 2 + 7 (1d20 + 7)

>>35611274

Rolled 15 + 7 (1d20 + 7)

>>35611274

Rolled 15 + 7 (1d20 + 7)

>>35611274

Corvesis, Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum, you’ve heard those names before...yes, you remember now!

Philly had pulled you into a prank involving a bag of flour, a bowl of treacle and the pet dog of the head priest of the house you were in.

As punishment the two of you had to memorise the names and deeds of dozens of famous paladins of Konig.

Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum where three Paladins who defeated and slew the white dragon Corvesis when she started raiding villages in Dornmer 500 years ago. They eventually tracked her mate Cravgur to his lair and killed him. But they later died under suspicious circumstances years later. Their murderers were never brought to justice.

Additional options

>Don’t say anything about it
>Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum are long dead...

>>35611405
>Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum are long dead...

>>35611405

Don't mention them now, we might tell the Konigites later if it becomes relevant.

>>35611405
>Don’t say anything about it

“I am Sireyi Valyenya” you say “Paladin of Velya, and Baroness Dalvin. I come before you because one of the Lords of Life has awoken, and his servant is loose in the Tribal Lands and has killed at least one dragon, I offer my help.”

You decide that mentioning the paladins isn’t a good idea, it might provoke him.

“Lords of Life” says Cravgur, puzzled and then looks to the side, talking to the howling wind in that booming voice “My love she is mad, poor thing, she speaks of legends as though they were real. No no, I’m not going to devour her – it could be catching! I don’t fancy being mad.”

He sizes up your dragon allies and then addresses Shahulzer “Hello stranger, is this your pet, does it do any other tricks?”

“Ah....” responds Shahulzer uncertainly, looking to you for his cue

>Get Shahulzer to speak to him
>Try to warn him about your double
>About Ryzans plan
>About your mate
>About those paladins
>Other topic (what?)

>>35611550
>Get Shahulzer to speak to him
>About Ryzans plan
>About your mate
>About those paladins

>>35611550
>Try to warn him about your double

>>35611550
>Get Shahulzer to speak to him
>Try to warn him about your double
>About Ryzans plan
>About your mate

>>35611550
>Get Shahulzer to speak to him
>Try to warn him about your double
>About Ryzans plan
>About your mate
>About those paladins

You motion to Shahulzer to speak.

“Ah” says Shahulzer again “we heard about Ryzans plan” he says “And were wondering if we could join.”

“Ryzan, Ryzan” says Cravgur uncertainly “Ah yes, old Ryzan! He was old when I hatched” he says conversationally to Shahulzer “Always with the big dreams, said he was going to challenge the gods, but wouldn’t even tear down a few churches with me...” Cravgurs voice trails off and then he starts speaking again.

“I went to him you know” he says “I begged, begged, me! But he wouldn’t help me get justice for my love, none of them would.”

“I heard about Corvesis” says Shahulzer, as you cast a quick spell to talk to him telepathically and fill in the details “I am so sorry.”

“Sorry?!” snaps Cravgur “Everyone is sorry, everyone has a kind word, no, no I won’t calm down my love! These young’uns need to know! Everyone is sorry” he says to Shahulzer “But no one will help get justice, will they no, I had to do it myself.”

“Was it you who killed Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum?” asks Shahulzer

Cravgur screws his eyes tightly shut at the mention of the names, and then speaks, his words tumbling over one another “Humans, scurrying across the ground, like tiny ants, but ants don’t talk do they, oh no. Revenge is a dish best served cold would the ants say if they could speak. And very cold it was. One by one by one they fell” he says “frozen from the inside out, and then warmed so the bodies had no wounds. Yes I killed them, killed them for killing her, and...”

“And?” prompts Shahulzer

“And our hatchlings” says Cravgur, his deep voice barely carrying over the howling wind. The blizzard is almost here and the first flakes of snow are falling.

“Dug them out of the ice” he says “and slew them as the eggs cracked open, oh mighty dragonslayers they” he says bitterly “yes my love I know, you were overwrought” he says soothingly “of course you flew off without thinking, two dozen paladins of Konig” his voice takes on a sound of pride “but they don’t tell of those who died do they? Just those who lived.”

He pauses, looking around, and then continues “But crafty old Cravgur” he says to Shahulzer with a sad look “Cold and patient as the glaciers, I took my time killing them – faked my death so they wouldn’t know until I stared them in the face.”

That doesn’t match the stories you were told.

“There is a servant of the Lords of Life in the mountains” insists Shahulzer “She’s killing dragons, you need to be prepared if she comes for you.”

“Bah!” says Cravgur “Let her come, I fear nothing, not the cold of the grave, not the Lords of Life.”

He turns and sniffs the wind “Do you smell that? Like winters first snow, going to be a cold one, and long and deep, but its spring, isn’t it?” he sounds uncertain

>He’s not listening, we should go (leave)
>You’re mad, and probably making this up
>If I corrected the stories, would you help me?
>Other

FUCK YEAH! PALADIN OF JOY QUEST!

>>35611981
>If I corrected the stories, would you help me?

>>35611981
>If I corrected the stories, would you help me?

>>35611981
>If I corrected the stories, would you help me?

Those Konigites are assholes anyway. They need to be taken down a notch or have some sort of messianic figure implement some reforms.

>>35611981
Do we believe him?

Rolled 9 + 15 (1d20 + 15)

>>35611981
Rolling to detect falsehood, just in case.

>>35612082
>>35612075
Good point

2 more 1d20+15 rolls please

Rolled 1 + 15 (1d20 + 15)

>>35612116

Rolled 8 + 15 (1d20 + 15)

>>35612116

You think he’s telling the truth, or the truth as he sees it perhaps.

Roll 1d20+21 to convince him.

Use Voice?

Y/N

Rolled 1 + 21 (1d20 + 21)

>>35612188
Y

Rolled 10 + 21 (1d20 + 21)

>>35612188

Yes, unless there's any compelling reason not to.

Rolled 13 + 21 (1d20 + 21)

>>35612188
Y

Rolled 2 + 21 (1d20 + 21)

No Voice. Frigging Ancient that may or may not be on par in bullshit with really serious shit.

“If I corrected the stories” you say “told the truth about what happened, would you help me?”

“Would they listen?” he counters “Would they care?”

“They might” you say “if you don’t speak up though, people will only know one side of the story, and what will they believe then?”

“What do I care?” he snaps petulantly “Let the ants scurry blindly, it’s what they do!”

“Is that how you want Corvesis remembered?” you ask gently “and your children?”

There’s a pause, and you wonder if he’s going to attack.

“Summer Solstice” says Cravgur in a tired voice “at the Dragonmeet, he will call a flight then, plans will be discussed, territory argued over, treasures bartered and old Ryzan will attend for the first time in over 400 years – that’s when he plans to launch his attack.”

“Thank you” you say diplomatically “I will tell the truth about-”

“Do as you will” he snaps “Ryzan came to me because I know how to walk amongst humans unseen, I was an assassin in my youth; it amused me to end the pathetic tiny lives of your kind!”

“Oh” you say, at a loss for words

“Oh yes” he says, a feral snarl on his face and his voice takes on a whinging quality “Go to the castle Cravgur, eat her two children Cravgur, get your revenge Cravgur. STUPID OLD FOOL!” He bellows, setting off an avalanche on the next mountain and deafening you temporarily. Even your dragon allies shake their heads in pain and clap claws over their ears.

“Asking me to kill children” says Cravgur, muttering to himself as he sinks into the snow, the blizzard raging around you “The nerve of that three-faced, jumped-up, garden lizard...”

“I think that’s all we’re getting” says Nicolvren

“I’m cold” complains Ebonsong.

“I think we’ll call it a night” you say “And tomorrow we’ll...”

>Look for another dragon
>Go talk to the priests of Konig
>See about fortifying the keep against infiltration by my double
>Do something else (what?)

>>35612527
>See about fortifying the keep against infiltration by my double

>>35612527
>See about fortifying the keep against infiltration by my double
>Go talk to the priests of Konig

>>35612527
>Go talk to the priests of Konig
>See about fortifying the keep against infiltration by my double

>>35612527
>Go talk to the priests of Konig

“Tomorrow we’ll fortify the keep against infiltration” you say “and talk to the Master of Histories at the Cathedral of Konig in Dornmer.”

“Oh this I have to see” says Shahulzer gleefully “you telling the priests of Konig their place, again.”

“People deserve to know the truth” you say calmly.

“Tell me you won’t enjoy putting them in their place” says Shahulzer.

“I won’t enjoy it” you say as you prepare to cast your spell.

“Right, now say it like you mean it” he counters.

“Are we going or not?” asks Ebonsong

-----

The next morning you and Isla are discussing how to provide a foolproof guard against your double, when Sofia comes to join you.

“Um Sireyi” she says, looking worried “I need to talk to you about your double.”

“Of course Sofia.” You say “What can I do for you?”

“It’s about Mili and Vivi” she says “Sometimes when I put them to bed they insisted that you’ll be in to read them a story – even on nights when I know you were away. I thought it was just children making fantasies...but now...”

Sofia looks pale, and is wringing her hands, her shoulders hunched.

>Hug her
>It’s not your fault
>You should have said something sooner!
>When I catch my twin I am going to make her wish she’d never...
>Alright, Angels around the kids, at all times
>Isla, you need to check the Keeps wards, all of them
>Isla, we will both check the Keeps wards, all of them
>Other (what?)

>>35612904
>Hug her
>It’s not your fault
>Alright, Angels around the kids, at all times
>Isla, we will both check the Keeps wards, all of them

>>35612904
>Hug her
>It’s not your fault
>Alright, Angels around the kids, at all times
>Isla, we will both check the Keeps wards, all of them

>>35612904
>Hug her
>It’s not your fault
>Alright, Angels around the kids, at all times
>Isla, you need to check the Keeps wards, all of them
>Isla, we will both check the Keeps wards, all of them

>>35612904
>Hug her
>It’s not your fault
>Alright, Angels around the kids, at all times
>Isla, we will both check the Keeps wards, all of them

Now they have four mommies!

>>35612904
>>Hug her
>>It’s not your fault
>Alright, Angels around the kids, at all times
>Isla, we will both check the Keeps wards, all of them

>>35612904

>Hug her
>It's not your fault
>Isla, we need to check the wards.

>I wonder what happened to rest of our doubles...

Please roll Willpower 1d20+16

Rolled 16 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35613253

Rolled 16 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35613253

Rolled 5 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35613253

You rise and hug Sofia “It’s not your fault” you say soothingly as she tentatively returns the hug “You didn’t know it was anything other than childish fantasies.”

“Oh Sireyi” says Sofia, burying her face in your chest “She was in their room, she could have-”

“But she didn’t” you say “Don’t waste your energy worrying about what she might have done, our children are fine, and we’re going to make sure she never goes near them again.”

“Thanks” says Sofia, looking up at you with tears forming in the corners of our eyes “When you say it, I can believe it.”

“It’s going to be fine” you say as Sofia rests her head on you again, returning your hug fiercely “We’ll have angelic guards around the children at all times, she won’t get near them.”

To Isla you say “We need to check all the wards in the keep, together.”

“That’ll take days” she points out.

“Then we’d best get started.” You say.

You and Isla spend almost a week checking the spells and wards guarding your keep, what you find is interesting, and disturbing.

“So she had the keys to the wards the whole time?” you ask Isla

“Yeah?” she says, the two of you taking a brief break from your work “But around the children’s bedrooms she actually strengthened the protections, almost as if-”

“She was protecting them.” You finish her thought for her.

“Just how much like you do you think she is?” asks Isla

>She’s nothing like me
>I don’t know, I’ll need to meet her to find out
>She hasn’t hurt the children, she can’t be all bad
>She’s a murderer – look at what she did to Shaljurst
>She was created by an ancient force of evil, she can’t what she is
>No one is beyond redemption
>Other

>>35613378
>I don’t know, I’ll need to meet her to find out
>No one is beyond redemption

>>35613378
>I don’t know, I’ll need to meet her to find out
>No one is beyond redemption

>>35613378
>I don’t know, I’ll need to meet her to find out
>She hasn’t hurt the children, she can’t be all bad
>No one is beyond redemption
Yes...soon we shall redeem her.

>>35613378
>She hasn’t hurt the children, she can’t be all bad
>She’s a murderer – look at what she did to Shaljurst
>I don’t know, I’ll need to meet her to find out
>No one is beyond redemption

>>35613378

>I don't know, I'll need to meet her to find out.
>She's protective of the children... I wonder why? Does she think she's me?
>She was created by an ancient force of evil...
>...I wonder if she could be redeemed?

>>35613470
Hopefully without Redeeming Touch.

The only two possibilities for what it could do are either mind rape which crushes her independence or has some other kind of drawback, or that using it on her will cause the magic which created her to break down and kill her.

She was made by a Lord of Life and they've probably had to deal with all the God's tricks before, so there's probably a killswitch somewhere in her in the event that her being is flooded with "Higher Aetheric Energy", which is exactly what RT does.

>>35613569
I suspect something similar.
And I don't think we will need Redeeming Touch either way.

>>35613569
Eh, I disagree.

>>35613637
Alright, but don't expect your opinion to matter to other players if you don't back it up with something more tangible than 'eh'.

>>35613693
Yeah, its just boring to continuously defend RT and its not like I've said anything that I haven't said before.

As far as a killswitch, thats simply idle speculation so theres really nothing to back it up one way or another.

>>35613569

I'll support talking sense into the clone, but keep in mind she zombified a dragon and God knows what other travesties of hers we'll come across - she might be necessary to terminate.
Having her on our side might be handy vs the old ones though...

You think that one over “I don’t know” you say “She was created by an ancient force of evil, and she’s murdered without a care, on the other hand” you debate with yourself “She hasn’t hurt the children – she’s even protected them, does she think she’s me?”

You look at Isla “It’s puzzling, I don’t know much about her, but I believe that no one is truly beyond redemption.”

“So what?” asks Isla “You’re going to try and save her?”

“Everyone deserves a chance” you say “even the most evil people.”

“Still” you continue “She’s left her mark all over the castle, we need to scrub it out before we deal with her.”

“Of course!” says Isla, jumping to her feet, the two of you are sat in a stairwell eating an quick lunch, before getting ready to alter all the wards to lock your twin out.

“Of course what?” you ask, a little confused by her outburst.

“The solution!” says Isla “The Slavers Mark”

“The what?” you say

“The Slavers Mark” repeats Isla “It was a variation on an ordinary Arcane Mark used by the merchants and nobles of Kel Zorad hundreds of years ago.”

“Didn’t the nobles of Kel Zorad all get killed in a slave revolt?” you ask

“Not the point” says Isla dismissively “The point is, the slavers had to be able to designate ownership in a way that couldn’t be fooled. They developed an arcane mark that was almost impossible to dispel or alter.”

“But not imitate” you point out

“That’s the beauty of it” says Isla “the Mark could always be sensed by the slaves owner if he was nearby, and he could use it to cause the slave pain-”

“Woah, no” you say “no torture marks.”

Isla rolls her eyes at you “Yes, I’m completely ignorant of who you are Sireyi” she scoffs “I can alter the spell so it just produces a slight tingle – the point is that if you put one on all of your allies your double can’t activate it, only you can, and if she manages to break the spell, you’ll know about it straight away – another handy feature.”

“I’m not very comfortable putting slave marks on everyone” you protest “even painless ones.”

Isla gives you an arch look “Well we could always put a bunch on you” she suggests “one for each of us.”

>This isn’t the plan, we’ll find another way
>I need to think about this (delay decision)
>Ok, where do you want me to put this mark on you?
>I’d like you to put your mark on me somewhere it doesn’t show in public please
>Other

>>35613932
>>I’d like you to put your mark on me somewhere it doesn’t show in public please

>>35613932
>I’d like you to put your mark on me somewhere it doesn’t show in public please

>>35613932
Can we do it both ways?

>>35613793
I wasn't talking about the regular usage of it, just that it might not be a good idea in this scenario.

Alt!Sireyi said that Redeeming Touch would have a far more dramatic effect on her; I can't think of anything she would mean other than it breaking her mind if used on her or it killing her.

>>35613834
The only 'travesty' she's committed thusfar is zombifying a dragon.

I'm not sure why you'd feel sympathy for the dragon, given that it and all the other dragons she was planning to kill/zombify/persuade/dominate are part of an alliance to attack our realm and kill us, but I'm not going to tell you how to feel.

>>35613932
>>35613899


>Ok, where do you want me to put this mark on you?
>I’d like you to put your mark on me somewhere it doesn’t show in public please

Lets do both. Like Double entry book keeping. Each one of our companions can identify us and we can them via a network where we are the central node.

>>35614000
>>35614069
Good point, didn't think of that.

Yes, both is an option.

>>35614006
Remember that we are working in a Post-RT change universe. Redeeming touch doesn't do half the shit it used to anymore. As such I would infer that it would work more like it used to as opposed to breaking her mind or killing her.

Then again, if you are one of the people who think RT is mind breaking, then there isn't anywhere to debate from.

>>35614088
>>35614069
>>35614000
>>35613899
>>35613932


Hell, we could have this recorded and perhaps proposed to mages, paladins, officers and the like as a way to make guards more effective and secure from magical infiltrations, since a central control officer can see that his squad is all there and they are themselves and they amongst themselves can see it too. The squad leader can also see and check that his superior is who he says he is.
The superior can know that his squad leaders are who they say they are, and then the squads they lead are all intact and not imposters because they can see amongst themselves who they are.

It can have a few more complicated twists and turns around the hierarchy but the base concept is good and a bit more evolved, turning every squad into a network node that can identify all other squad members while one (or perhaps more), say the squad leader has connection to another network.

And considering that they also have duplicates of their own we should give all of them the option to be full of twin matching tattoos for all our entourage.

>>35614262
I'd support the fuck out of this. We will have the most security ever.

>>35614262

>And considering that they also have duplicates of their own we should give all of them the option to be full of twin matching tattoos for all our entourage.

This here was me talking about our entourage...


And perhaps we should visit Drache a few times. Pick up Airship and gun design while we are there, to augment our stormwings and armor designs...

Considering we are fighting a steamtechno necromancer, we could do with some airships, guns, explosives and flying power armor.

Not that the Five Fold Death of Cities is not impressive, but we cannot replicate Elemental Cores... so until then we should look to other devices that can enhance our followers abilities.

Proto Godhood is nice and all, but some administrative and industrious thinking would not hurt, considering the fact that it would probably be a good idea to launch a expedition asap to stall the Lord of Life from getting more resources...

“How about both” you suggest “double up just to make sure.”

“Yes” says Isla, nodding “doable.”

“I’d like mine somewhere it doesn’t show in public” you say “Where do you want yours?”

Isla opens her arms wide and gives you a challenging smile “Anywhere you want it” she says “But you have bigger things to worry about, like where does Jal want to pin one on you?”

Some very choice oaths from the soldiers who trained you come to mind.

“Oh monkey feathers” you say, hey you had your mouth washed out with soap too many times to fall back into that habit “I hadn’t thought about that, how big does it need to be?”

Isla holds her thumb and forefinger an inch apart “about so big” she says “at a minimum, but some nobles used big elaborate ones on their slaves as a fashion choice, I could find a few of the old designs, let Jal pick out one she likes and-”

“How about no?” you ask “does no work for you?”

“Or” says Isla, warming to the idea “Something written, like *property of Jallarial* written across you but- hey where are you going?”

“I’ve got a meeting with the Master of Histories tomorrow” you point out, walking away “He used to be one of my teachers in training, I need to find something formal to wear to remind him – and me – that I’m not a naughty student sent to his room to get a caning.”

“You want some company?” Isla calls after you

“I can pick out an outfit myself” you call back

“I meant at the meeting tomorrow?” she yells, as you’re walking down the corridor “But if you need help getting out of your clothes...”

>I’m going alone
>I’m taking with me...(who?)
>I should delay this meeting, too much going on
>Other

>>35614305
It can still be subverted with say coercion via bribe or threaths or domination of the mind, or simple mundane/undercover infiltration of the guard (taking months or years) and bypassed via invisibility.

But it is a pretty efficient defense against imposters.


More than that the Mark with the tingle could be used as a short range battle radio that functions like a telegraph...

I mean not all people will have a telepathic link, but with this up you can send messages Morse code like, with no one the wiser.

>>35614088
How did you not think of that?
I admit >>35614262
Is a leap ahead of where I got to but 2 way links with those close to us that make it easier to cast spells like heal and telepathy are a must.

>>35614575
>How did you not think of that?

It's 1am and I'm tired. I will only be posting 1 or 2 more updates. Apologies for the short thread.

>>35614477
>I’m going alone

>>35614497
>>35614477


So, I am thinking, the Mark + some Boosting Tattoo around it for power, could it make it have a vastly increased range?

I mean with the Morse code idea, or say patterns of tingling that could form letters, words or simple geometric forms from the tingling sensation.


It is going to be a bit specialized what with having to communicate not through sound and hearing or sight but through touch.

But I find the idea intriguing.

>>35614575
Yeah, and from there it got to this:

>>35614626 >>35614497
Magitech tattoo tinglytouch phone that may or may not work only on short range or could be boosted to work over continents depending if we can have said tattoo powerup to the mark.


Now this could truly be a massive leap in Communications. Sure its going to be linked to a person and said person would have to play broken telephone for others like 40k Astropaths, but it would make it way faster than any other type of message delivery save for teleport and planar shift delivery - since you can deliver whole books like that.

“I’m going alone” you say, as you pick out an outfit that you hope will impress one of your old teachers.

----

The next day, at the Cathedral of Konig in the City of Dornmer you are waiting outside the office of the Master of Histories when a harried young acolyte is sent running in tears out of the office door.

“Next!” bellows the voice of authority from within.

“I’m not here to be punished” you remind yourself “I did nothing wrong, I’m not here to be punished” you repeat your mantra as you enter the office.

Inside is a large and ornate desk, sat at the other side is an elderly priest of Konig. Master Eccersley was just a teacher when you saw him last, now he’s the Master of Histories.

He peers at you over the top of his glasses, his long beaky nose protruding in front of him.

“Student Sireyi?” he says suspiciously “Tardy again?”

>No, I’m here about Paladins Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum
>Oh Goddess I’m 14 years old again!
>Other

>>35614776
>>Oh Goddess I’m 14 years old again!

>>35614776
>Oh Goddess I’m 14 years old again!

How many "tones" can the mark do? Do we have any ideas better than placing our marks over our wives to be harts? What else can we do?

>>35614776
>No, I’m here about Paladins Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum

>>35614837
>How many "tones" can the mark do?

The standard design can only do 1 tone, but working with Isla, you can probably expand that into quite a few.

>>35614776
>No, I’m here about Paladins Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum

>>35614776
>No, I’m here about Paladins Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum

>>35614776
>These times I am always tardy, for one reason or another, and I think I hate it more and more... Its not like in the good old days when I could be tardy just because.

>>35614776
>No, I’m here about Paladins Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum

>>35614867
We need to know who's buzzing us and why. So one for danger, one for good, one for things seem off/that's a lie and maybe a neutral basic.

>>35614998
>>35614867
Could we not modulate the tingling/ prickling from the mark?

So that we can form say simple geometric shapes within it instead of it blazing across the entire tattoo.

We might even be able to flash letters.

>>35615042
It might be possible, yes.

>Ask Isla to work on designing communication marks?

Y/N

>>35615075
Y

>>35615042
Whatever works. We have until next tread to dream up how we'll squeeze every drop of use out of this so let's think.

>>35615075
Y

>>35615075
>Y

>>35615075
Y


And with that done once we have some spare time we could perhaps have Jinaxi look at it if she can think of a tattoo that could work say as a antenna to amplify the radius of the effect area...

Making this into a two piece communication array.

“I’m not a child anymore” you say serenely, no trace of strain in your voice “I’m here about Paladins Galwin, Jurovis and Fallum” You told Cravgur you’d ask for the truth to be told, after all.

Eccersley pauses as if recalling and then says “Ah yes, the slayers of Corvesis and Cravgur, a noble tale of heroism and tragedy.”

“Except it’s a lie” you say.

Eccersley is unmoved “based on what?” he asks

“I spoke to Cravgur” you say “Not only is he alive, he tells a very different tale about them, about dragon hatchlings slaughtered, about-”

“I am aware” says Eccersley

“Then why the deception?” you ask

“There’s is a tale of heroism, to inspire your knights and paladin-candidates” he replies “history is often full of dull truths, sometimes a story is easier for people to understand.”

“Is that the real reason?” you ask “Or is it that the Church of Yerra would have objected to the killing of young dragons? They hold them all sacred after all.”

“You have no proof” points out your old teacher.

“They’ll listen to Cravgur” you point out.

“He’s insane” counters Eccersley “Unreliable.”

“They’ll ask questions” you point out “Uncomfortable ones of the Church of Konig.”

“White dragons are almost always evil” points out Eccersley “Better that they die young, before they become dangerous.”

“I can’t believe you’re trying to justify the murder of innocents” you say, shaking your head

“Not innocents” points out the Master of Histories “Chromatic dragons.”

“Right” you say “dragons – just what the Church of Yerra will say, too.” You turn to go.

“Wait” says Eccersley “I could ask that the story be...retired, in favour of other stories.”

>Fine, bury the truth
>No, tell the truth, or I will
>I’m leaving now, I’m done with this
>I’m going to the Cathedral of Yerra, goodbye
>Other

>>35615325
>Fine, bury the truth but with both sides recorded.

>>35615325
>No, tell the truth, or I will
If he doesn't relent
>I’m going to the Cathedral of Yerra, goodbye

>>35615325
>No, tell the truth, or I’m going to the Cathedral of Yerra

>>35615325
>No, tell the truth, or I will

>>35615325
Or we could make it a philosophical lesson. Things got uncovered so that Konig officials do not look malevolent and instead of a tale of heroism, they tell the true story, and then invite to consider weather what the three paladins was justified than and if it is justifiable now.


Things like this should be something in paladin fucking curriculum, shouldn't they?

>>35615519
We could also point out to our former teacher that said chromatic dragon was bidden by another one to take vengeance on paladins by killing our children.

And said white dragon refused most emphatically. If a dragon that sees humans as ants refuses to kill the children of said ants, then surely we can find in our hearts to find the reason why we paladins would have done such acts, could we at least not do that much?

>>35615325
>>No, tell the truth, or I will

>>35615325
I like these:
>>35615519
>>35615596

>>35615325
Changing >>35615405
To >>35615519
>>35615596

>>35615325
>>35615414
I'm think >>35615519
>>35615596
would be good too point out to convince him.

“No” you say “No hiding from this, you can tell the truth, or if you won’t, then I will.”

“This will cause a rift in the Churches” points out Eccersley, “one that could take years to heal – do you really want to be the cause of that?”

“Don’t try and pin this on me” you say “the church had centuries to own up to it, explain it, treat it as a lesson for paladin-cadets to consider, instead you lied.”

“This world is a harsh one child” says the old man, safe behind his desk “One day you will learn the value of hard and necessary choices.”

“Cravgur was told to kill my children” you say “he refused, and showed more courage and nobility than I’ve seen many members of this church display.”

“Or he displayed caution and cunning” Eccersley points out.

“Fine” you say “you like debating so much – turn this tale into a debate. Make this a lesson in philosophy and morality for the students. Better that the church looks like it misplaced the truth rather than covered it up.”

Eccersley nods “I find that an acceptable compromise” he says. The two of you spend a little time finalising the details, then you leave.

You return home, a bitter taste in your mouth, why is it the more you learn about the Church of Konig, the less sense it makes? Still, at least today you helped put them back on the right track.

Your heart is buoyed by seeing Sofia, Isla and Jal in the great hall, looking over...images in a book. This doesn’t look good.

“Sireyi” says Sofia, looking up with a grin “you’re back; we were just picking out designs for you.”

“Yeah” agrees Jal “anything we want as long as it’s not visible in public, righ’?”

“That’s not what I said!” You try to explain, as the four of you spend the next several hours bickering in a friendly way over what tattoo designs to use, as well as which locations they’ll be in.

And with that the thread comes to an end, thank you for playing, and sorry it was such a short thread.

Next thread is due in 1 weeks time – roughly the same time of day as todays thread.

I will post on twitter closer to the time. Thank you for playing, and for being such great (and imaginative) players.

I look forward to next thread.

Please use the rest of the thread to discuss any ideas for magic, tattoos, technology etc. I am loving the discussions and debate so far.

>>35615894
Thanks as usual for running. Have a good week Pally.

>>35615894
Thanks for runing.

>>35615894
Thanks for all the fish.

As long as Sireyi's tattoo is sexy, i'm fine with it.

Also, we need to have Sofia talk to Konig already.